Rapids midfielder Nana Boateng is expected to miss significant time after fracturing three vertebrae in his back in Saturday’s 2-1 home loss to Real Salt Lake, the team announced Tuesday.

The injury occurred in the first half when Boateng went up for an aerial challenge with RSL’s Luke Mulholland and landed hard on his back. The Rapids said the three fractured lumbar vertebrae will not require surgery.

“This is unfortunate timing for Nana,” Rapids sporting director Pádraig Smith said in a news release. “He has acclimated quickly to the team and the altitude, and was beginning to show the talent and forward drive we identified when bringing him to the club.”

Smith said the team will look to Dillon Powers and Mohammed Saeid, acquired in the trade with Minnesota, to take over the No. 8 role in Boateng’s absence.

The 5-foot-10, 160-pound midfielder picked up his first MLS assist after suffering the injury. He sent a pass to Marlon Hairston that helped unlock the defense for Kevin Doyle’s goal, then subbed off in the 32nd minute.

The Post's ski and Olympics writer, Meyer covered his 12th Games last summer in Rio de Janeiro. He has covered five World Alpine Ski Championships and more than 100 World Cup ski events. He is a member of the Colorado Ski & Snowboard Hall of Fame and Colorado Running Hall of Fame. He regularly covers running and the Colorado Rapids.

Both players are 19-year-old Generation Adidas signees, meaning they can be selected by any club, and will represent the Centennial State on draft day alongside University of Denver's Andre Shinyashiki.